• Be enrolled between the ages of 2 and 9, if possible, to begin building a foundation for their self-esteem and potential.
• Be in a state of economic hardship.
• Be living in an area where there are other children currently sponsored, or where other children are available for sponsorship so that we may deliver sponsorship benefits as efficiently as possible.
• Be in a stable enough environment that permits consistent and long-term contact between the child and our field staff.
• Be living in an accessible area and within a reasonable distance, permitting consistent contact between the child and our field staff.
• There can be no more than four sponsored children in any family.
• Heads of families must cooperate in order to meet the basic administrative requirements of sponsorship, including letter-writing, photos and family records.

In addition to these criteria, we also rely on something far more abstract…the expertise of volunteers and local staff to determine which children are living with the greatest need. This helps make the selection process fair, ensuring that help goes to those who need it most urgently. There is never any discrimination based on race, religion, social background or any other factor. The bottom line is to help as many children and families as possible, reaching out to the poorest of people first.